Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE MEN'S GYMNASTICS 2002 OUTLOOK
12.14.01 | Men's Gymnastics
Once again, three seniors appear on the roster. Alec Gonzalez has worked his way into a competing role on parallel bars. Brian Munn, an ECAC finalist on rings in 2001, has plans to medal in the event this season. Timothy Lentz is slated to compete on horizontal bar.
The bulk of the competing team resides in the junior class. Michael Ast is an experienced competitor on floor exercise and vault, while Adam Courtney made great strides on rings and horizontal bar. Kevin Hallinan was unable to compete last year due to injury but is expected to return to all-around duties. Theo Maes was an ECAC finalist on floor exercise and has worked several other events. Richie Maguire earned the ECAC all-around title plus four event medals and went to the both the NCAA Championships round and USA Championships Qualifier. Maguire is especially skilled on floor exercise, vault and parallel bars. Jason Moresi does high difficulty routines on pommel horse and has worked horizontal bar regularly. Adam Owens saw plenty of action on pommel horse while also working vault and parallel bars. Jeremy Nelson may get to show his much-improved floor exercise and pommel horse skills. Travis Pummer was an ECAC finalist on parallel bars and competes on pommel horse and rings as well. Tory Torcomian has earned a starting spot on both rings and vault. Alex Weber placed second all-around at the ECAC Championships, while medalling on four events, and qualified for the NCAA Championships. Weber's pommel horse routine has full difficulty.
The sophomore class includes two student-athletes who broke into the starting lineup last season. Zach Hanson-Hart displayed excellent difficulty on floor exercise and vault. Travis Kitchen vaulted well and worked other events before injury limited his appearances late in the season. John Behrle has shown good twisting on floor exercise and vault plus promising pommel horse prowess. Dave Nowakowski improved greatly over the summer and may break into the horizontal bar lineup this season.
Two freshmen walk-ons will make a bid to earn a spot on the competing team. Nick Chachula and Nyika White both competed in the Jr. Olympic Championships.
Tom Gibbs, a teammate of Turoff's in the late 60's and an internationally-rated judge, returns for a seventh season as assistant coach.
The regular season will feature a trip to California and will culminate with the ECAC Championships, which will be hosted by Temple at McGonigle Hall on March 23-24. The NCAA Championships will be hosted by Oklahoma, with Temple slated to host the event in 2003.
